What should be included in a shadow box?

2018-11-16T12:55:00-05:00

I've been out over a year now, and the nostalgia factor has set in. I'm looking to build my own shadow box; it seems like an awesome idea to display my time in the Army, as well as something to pass down to my children.

I've looked at a ton of them online and some include unit awards (see attached photo). I was planning on putting the patches and DUIs of the units I served in but wasn't sure of including unit awards. I would like to display them because of the historical value (one of my units was awarded a French fourragère in WWII) but do not want to appear as though I am taking credit for the awards. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has thought of this and wanted to get some other points of view before I start building my box. What is your opinion on this?

What items would you include? What would you leave out? Any other input on shadow boxes is also greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Nov 16 at 2018 12:57 PM

2018-11-16T12:57:11-05:00

Ribbons, medals and rank are most common

Response by SFC William Farrell made Nov 16 at 2018 12:57 PM

2018-11-16T12:57:19-05:00

Anything that is important to you SSG Raymond Tobin. I have my medals, patches, my MP badge, rank, Provost Marshal Customs ID from Fort Hood.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 16 at 2018 2:14 PM

2018-11-16T14:14:09-05:00

I think DUI are fine, as you served in those units, but I wouldn't carry forward any unit awards unless they were earned while you were a part of the unit. I've seen them done a lot better than mine, but here it is:

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Nov 16 at 2018 2:15 PM

2018-11-16T14:15:34-05:00

This is how I set up my shadow box.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 2:31 PM

2018-11-16T14:31:59-05:00

SSG Raymond Tobin My shadow box has my medals, Sergeant rank, Marine EGA, and name badge on one side. On the other side, I have my father's wings, name badge, and dog tags. My father was an Air Force Captain who served in WWII and Korea. He was killed when his plane crashed on a training mission. These items that belonged to my father mean a lot to me. You should put in your shadow box the items that are important to you.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 3:39 PM

2018-11-16T15:39:19-05:00

I agree with SGT Richard H.. I wouldn't include any unit awards unless they were earned while you were a part of the unit. If you were still in the Army you would only wear the French fourragère as long as you were actually assigned to the unit. Once you transfer you would have to take it off.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Nov 16 at 2018 4:35 PM

2018-11-16T16:35:36-05:00

They make various types take a look around awards coins American flag

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 5:29 PM

2018-11-16T17:29:58-05:00

ribbons, medals, rank insignia, badges, and a personal statement placard with characterization of service from the presenters. so you may leave that out.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 16 at 2018 6:56 PM

2018-11-16T18:56:02-05:00

SSG Raymond Tobin I'd take what ever was important to you. Honoring previous units is one of the reasons why there are temporary wear unit awards and permanent wear. I don't see problem with having a unit by unit section with the DUI/SSI and the unit awards....except space in the shadow box. Great idea.

I am setting mine up to have it arrayed similar to how it was worn on the uniform. Left side nameplate, Regimental affiliation, MUC, CSIB. Right side CAB, my mounted ribbons. Under my ribbons I was going to put my OPFOR tape, the three OPFOR awards as worn and my Motorized Rifle Regiment red tabs and branches above it. Rank was going to be centered with the four branches I've served in (OD, Cavalry with 11 Regiment numerals, general staff, LG). I considered going full size medals across the bottom, but it's pricey. I originally wanted to ring the border with DUIs from previous units, also pricey to fill in the hand full of gaps.

I think your full size SSG rank on one side or both would look highspeed. I considered putting my shoulder boards from my ASU in there but they look Cheesey. Also I'd recommend taking a picture of the final product and numbering the items in it. Then take the numbers and put the name of each item. You could maybe take the citation from awards and include it. Slide that packet in a document protector and tape it to the back of the shadow box. Your family will appreciate it later and they can link what those strange objects are to what you did and where you were.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 16 at 2018 6:56 PM

2018-11-16T18:56:28-05:00

I've included two examples. Mine has the more modern medals, rank, etc. One change I would make to mine is to have the ranks progress from left (2 LT) to right (LTC) instead of right to left. The medals are in order of precedence with the highest on the left as you're looking at the box. The other stuff depends on what's important to you. Unit insignia may be important and should be included. Qualification and specialty badges should be included. The ribbon rack in important because it includes the ribbons for which there is no medal and helps to tell the entire story.

The second shadow box is one my son and I made from items that belonged to my Grandfather, who served in WW I. Only one medal, WWI Victory with France clasp. The book in the box is a diary he kept. We worked with what we had available and put together a fitting tribute and a way to preserve some family history.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 7:23 PM

2018-11-16T19:23:47-05:00

Today my Mom and I just left JoAnn's for just this purpose. I think you should put in uniform items that make you feel special. We chose to include dog tags to make her gift unique from the one that was made for me. Another thing that I thought would make it special was to add the blue patch with thirteen stars and unit crest from the beret. Borders around the pictures, whichever flavor of yourself you wish to memorialize, make them stand out a little better. I disagree about unit awards/citations, if they were part of your dress uniform once upon a time then why not include them? Of course that is personal preference, but just my thoughts.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 9:46 PM

2018-11-16T21:46:25-05:00

I made one for my father that was fairly small (he had really nothing from his time in Vietnam and I wanted to give him something), but I included a plaque, name plate, staybright ranks, his badge and medals (all the miniature versions like on dress mess). I can't find a photo to attach, but for a simple display it was very classy in my humble opinion. Really, I would say lay out what you think you want and play around with the arrangement. Maybe include all of the things, maybe less. You do what you feel you like and I hope you enjoy the result.

Response by SSG Ronald Colwell made Nov 17 at 2018 7:56 PM

2018-11-17T19:56:40-05:00

You should add the things you, cherish most during your career. Starting rank in order to highest achieved. Awards and decorations are the norm. Pretty much anything that summarized your time. I know one that even put his art 15 folded up. was honest about it. Nothing to hide. You can even add behind the backing, evaluation reports, COA’s. Type a letter for you children and explain all you did. In the many years to come, your children will read and understand and have a better respect for you. Just a few thoughts. Good luck... that is all

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Jan 27 at 2019 5:32 PM

2019-01-27T17:32:37-05:00

You can put whatever you want in your shadow box, it is about you.

Personally, I have been thinking about mine a lot, as a dual service vet i thought i could do a background felt of Navy blue with a gold strip and army black, place all personal awards in the gold area, and then put unit stuff on each of the stripes blue for Navy and Black for army.

If you were in the unit i would include the unit decorations, the army allows temporary wear, so that is not "stealing valor", you could separate personal awards form unit awards to make sure people knew you were not claiming them, as personal awards.

Some people include spurs for cavalry, and other organizational, non standard items too.

On of the neatest thing I ever saw, was my chief from my JROTC program who had a plaque enameled with blue and mirrored chevrons for each "stripe" in his rank. That has always kind of stuck with me for some reason.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2019 10:33 AM

2019-01-28T10:33:26-05:00

IMHO, the shadow box is your service.
It would give the appearance that you were taking credit for something you didn't earn.
That said, you could do a separate historical one that is dedicated to a unit.